pair
1two identical, similar, or corresponding things that are matched for use together: a pair of gloves;a pair of earrings.
something consisting of or regarded as having two parts or pieces joined together: a pair of scissors;a pair of slacks.
two individuals who are similar or in some way associated: a pair of liars;a pair of seal pups.
a married, engaged, or dating couple.
two mated animals.
a span or team: a pair of horses.
Government.
two members on opposite sides in a deliberative body who for convenience, as to permit absence, arrange together to forgo voting on a given occasion.
the arrangement thus made.
Cards.
two playing cards of the same denomination without regard to suit or color.
pairs, two card players who are matched together against different contestants.
pairs, pair skating.
Also called kinematic pair .Mechanics. two parts or pieces so connected that they mutually constrain relative motion.
Philately. two postage stamps joined together either vertically or horizontally.
a set or combination of more than two objects forming a collective whole: a pair of beads.
to arrange or designate in pairs or groups of two: She paired dancers for the waltz contest.
to form into a pair, as by matching, joining, etc.; match; couple: to pair freshly washed socks.
(of animals) to cause to mate.
to separate into pairs or groups of two (usually followed by off): to pair off for a procession.
to form a pair or pairs.
to be a member of a pair.
to match with or resemble another.
to unite in close association with another, as in a business partnership, friendship, marriage, etc.
(of animals) to mate.
Government. (in a deliberative body) to form or arrange a pair.
Idioms about pair
grow a pair, Slang: Vulgar. to act in a stereotypically manly way, as by being brave: Stop the whining and grow a pair!
Origin of pair
1synonym study For pair
Grammar notes for pair
Pair signifying two individuals can take either a singular or plural verb, but it is usually followed by a plural verb and referred to by a plural pronoun: The guilty pair have not been seen since their escape.
In the sense “a set or combination of more than two objects forming a collective whole,” pair occurs chiefly in fixed phrases: a pair of beads; a pair of stairs. This use is now somewhat old-fashioned. See also collective noun, couple.
Other words from pair
- pairwise, adverb
- un·paired, adjective
- well-paired, adjective
Words that may be confused with pair
Other definitions for pair (2 of 2)
French. noting any even number, especially in roulette.: Compare impair.
Origin of pair
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use pair in a sentence
One lucky guy—see Jones, above—was paired with two perfect partners this season to shake things up.
I Want to See Your Spreadsheets, Baby: MTV’s ‘Are You the One?’ Is a Mathematical Orgy | Brandy Zadrozny | December 9, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThis explains the crumpled look of his beautiful red velvet suit paired with cowboy boots and a flowery style shirt.
Dodo Bones and Kylie’s Poo: Inside London’s Strangest New Museum | Liza Foreman | November 11, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAbout police brutality, and the militarization of American police, and how the two have paired to victimize, mostly, black men.
Almost every one of your characters in the collection is paired off, often in long marriages.
Amiigo is a wrist and shoelace hardware combo, paired a smartphone app that crunches movement data in the cloud.
Boys and girls paired off rather early, and remained paired by tacit agreement; there was comparatively little shifting.
The Amazing Interlude | Mary Roberts RinehartThe French and Russian officers paired in good-fellowship, while the few Prussians rode together.
The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte | William Milligan SloanePresently refreshments were announced, and the boys and girls paired off and entered the dining room.
The Rover Boys on the Farm | Arthur M. Winfield (AKA Edward Stratemeyer)Alphonse and Lucille paired off, as it seemed to me, very naturally.
Dross | Henry Seton MerrimanAs Mrs. Edmonstone paired off her company, she considered what to do with her new arrival.
The Heir of Redclyffe | Charlotte M. Yonge
British Dictionary definitions for pair (1 of 2)
/ (pɛə) /
two identical or similar things matched for use together: a pair of socks
two persons, animals, things, etc, used or grouped together: a pair of horses; a pair of scoundrels
an object considered to be two identical or similar things joined together: a pair of trousers
two people joined in love or marriage
a male and a female animal of the same species, esp such animals kept for breeding purposes
parliamentary procedure
two opposed members who both agree not to vote on a specified motion or for a specific period of time
the agreement so made
two playing cards of the same rank or denomination: a pair of threes
one member of a matching pair: I can't find the pair to this glove
cricket a pair of spectacles (the cricketing term): See spectacles (def. 2)
rowing See pair-oar
British and US dialect a group or set of more than two
logic maths
a set with two members
an ordered set with two members
(often foll by off) to arrange or fall into groups of twos
to group or be grouped in matching pairs: to pair socks
to join or be joined in marriage; mate or couple
(when tr, usually passive) parliamentary procedure to form or cause to form a pair: 18 members were paired for the last vote
Origin of pair
1usage For pair
- See also pairs
British Dictionary definitions for pair (2 of 2)
/ (per) /
a Scot word for poor
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with pair
In addition to the idiom beginning with pair
- pair off
also see:
- show one's (a clean pair of) heels
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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